COVID-19 Update – March 11, 2020

Humber College and the University of Guelph-Humber are monitoring the COVID-19 situation closely and will continue to provide updates to the community. We are actively engaging with Toronto Public Health and reviewing information from various Canadian health authorities to ensure that we are prepared and responding to ongoing changes with respect to the health and safety of our staff and students.

International Travel

As the situation continues to evolve, Humber has decided to cancel all Humber-sanctioned international travel for students, in all countries between now and June 30, 2020.

We will work with students to address the financial and academic impacts of these cancellations. Students who were scheduled to participate in these activities should contact their study abroad coordinator or program coordinator to discuss next steps. Similarly, employees who were scheduled to travel as part of any of these student trips should discuss next steps with their manager.

Documentation for student absences

The need for students to provide sick notes is suspended as a result of the COVID-19 situation. Students who are ill are asked to stay home and self-isolate. Understanding that visits to medical professionals may not be possible or advisable in some situations, students may be absent for up to 14 calendar days without requiring a sick note from a physician.

Students are expected to notify their professors/program coordinators of their absence in advance. Upon return to regular college activity, students are expected to make up for missed work. Any questions related to student absences can be directed to professors, program coordinators or Associate Deans. The College may require additional documentation to verify fitness to return to campus/class after an illness.

Documentation for employee absences

Faculty members/instructors who are feeling unwell and/or have reason to believe they should be self-isolated and therefore are unable to attend class, should stay home and contact their Associate Dean (for the University of Guelph-Humber, their Program Head and/or Assistant Program Head) before coming to campus to discuss appropriate next steps.

All other employees who are feeling unwell and/or have reason to believe they should be self-isolated should stay home and contact their manager before coming to campus to discuss appropriate next steps.

Employees will be accommodated, as long as appropriate notification is provided. The College may require additional documentation to verify fitness to return to work.

Academic Continuity

Academic Continuity Kits have been developed to support faculty and learners and to prepare, should college operations need to change. Academic kits will be provided to Faculty members. Faculty will receive further communication about academic continuity within the coming days.

Counselling and Support Services

We understand that the evolving nature of this situation may cause uncertainty and uneasiness.

If students or employees need support or counselling, there are resources to help. Post-secondary students can access the Good2Talk Helpline at 1-866-925-5454. Therapy Assist Online provides online and mobile tools and is also available to students. Full-time employees may access the Employee Assistance Program.

Measures Underway

While the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared an international public health emergency, the current risk to Canadians remains low. We maintain ongoing contact with Toronto Public Health and have been advised that there are no additional actions required, and to follow regular respiratory illness protocols and prevention strategies.

Humber is following all respiratory illness protocols and prevention measures already in place. In addition, areas of the College that provide health-related services, including the Health Centres, Dental Centres, the Humber Spa and the Tzu Chi Clinic of Chinese Medicine, have the recommended screening protocols in place.

We have increased cleaning of high touch point areas, using a chemical that kills both coronavirus and norovirus. Electrostatic fogging machines are also being used twice a week in cafeterias, open computer labs, high-traffic washrooms, athletic changerooms, health centres, Residence etc. This includes the keyboards and monitors in the open access labs. Electrostatic fogging machines seal surfaces so that germs are unable to attach to them.

Soap and hospital-grade hand sanitizer dispensers across campus will be monitored and filled regularly.

As we are in the winter flu season, we ask everyone to:

  • wash your hands as frequently as possible,
  • cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the garbage and clean your hands,
  • if you don’t have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your sleeve or arm,
  • and stay home if you’re feeling ill.

Public Health Ontario also has several hand hygiene videos available as reference.

Resources and Contacts

We want to emphasize that Humber takes the health and well-being of our staff and students seriously and we are monitoring the situation closely. An oversight group comprising representatives from the Academic Division, Communications, Human Resources, Legal and Risk Management, Public Safety, Student Success and Engagement, and the University of Guelph-Humber will provide regular updates to the community.

All of the latest updates related to COVID-19 can be found at humber.ca/updates. Humber’s social media channels, and MyHumber also point to this page.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Further information about COVID-19 is available through these health authority web links:
Ontario Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) page
Toronto Medical Officer of Health – March 11 statement
Toronto Public Health 
Toronto Public Health Novel Coronavirus Fact Sheet
Government of Canada - Travel Health Notices
Public Health Agency of Canada